Starship Receives FAA Approval, To Launch For The Second Time On Friday

Elon Musk‘s SpaceX on Wednesday received the green light from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the second flight test of its Starship. The company’s visionary space vehicle will now fly again on Friday, Nov. 17.

What Happened: “The FAA determined SpaceX met all safety, environmental, policy and financial responsibility requirements,” the federal agency said.

SpaceX and its CEO Musk had previously pegged the second launch test for Friday from Boca Chica if it receives approval.

Following the receipt of the approval, SpaceX tweeted, “Targeting Friday, November 17 for Starship's second flight test. A two-hour launch window opens at 7:00 a.m. CT.”

“Excitement guaranteed,” Musk chipped in, reminiscent of his promise ahead of Starship’s first launch.

SpaceX conducted the first test launch of Starship on April 20. The rocket exploded in less than four minutes after take-off.

Why It Matters: Starship, composed of the super heavy rocket and the starship spacecraft, aims to create a fully reusable transportation system for crew and cargo missions to Earth's orbit, the Moon, and Mars. 

On Sept. 5, Musk first said that the Starship is ready to launch again, and merely awaiting approval. Over 2 months later, the vehicle is now gearing up to actually fly.

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